Children with autism receive lessons in aircraft travel at McCarran
by Kyndell Nunley
Sunday, October 22nd 2017
Wings for Autism — an airport "rehearsal" specially designed for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, their families and aviation professionals — is conducted Saturday, October 21, 2017, at McCarran International Airport. (Norberto Arroyo/KSNV)
VIEW PHOTO GALLERY
8 photos
LAS VEGAS (KSNV News3LV) — Every single day, thousands of people pass through the halls and gates at McCarran International Airport. On Saturday though, dozens of those people didn’t even have a flight. Instead, they were practicing, along with their children, how to travel by air.
For the first time, Wings for Autism is taking off in Las Vegas.
Wings for Autism is an airport “rehearsal” specially designed for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, their families and aviation professionals. Organizers of the event hope the trial flights help to alleviate some of the stress that families who have a child with autism often experience when traveling by air.
During the event, autistic children and their families get to check in to receive their boarding passes, pass through the TSA security checkpoint, wait in the boarding area and board an Allegiant airplane. The families are also given a presentation on the aircraft’s features, in-flight safety protocols and take-off procedures.
"The scariest thing for him is walking into a situation that he's not aware of, and then he has to get a hold of himself, he will freeze, he'll shut down,” said Salvachion Vereeen.
Vereen says when she heard about the airport event, she knew how big of a deal it would be for her family, especially her 12-year-old.
Since 2014, Wings for Autism has hosted nearly 90 events at 45 different airports across the country. Vereen says she grateful the event has now been brought here to Las Vegas.
“Being able to look at him, understand him through his lenses, through his eyes, that is what the autism community has done for us."
The first Wings for Autism in Las Vegas was co-hosted by The Arc of the United States, Allegiant Airlines and McCarran International Airport. This event was also held in partnership with Families for Effective Autism Treatment, the Transportation Security Administration and the Doug Flutie Foundation.
Source: Children with autism receive lessons in aircraft travel at McCarran
___________
Sounds like a good idea but perhaps it shouldn't be limited to children. Not liking the sound of the organization "Families for the Effective Treatment of Autism" but otherwise seems like a good plan.
by Kyndell Nunley
Sunday, October 22nd 2017
Wings for Autism — an airport "rehearsal" specially designed for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, their families and aviation professionals — is conducted Saturday, October 21, 2017, at McCarran International Airport. (Norberto Arroyo/KSNV)
VIEW PHOTO GALLERY
8 photos
LAS VEGAS (KSNV News3LV) — Every single day, thousands of people pass through the halls and gates at McCarran International Airport. On Saturday though, dozens of those people didn’t even have a flight. Instead, they were practicing, along with their children, how to travel by air.
For the first time, Wings for Autism is taking off in Las Vegas.
Wings for Autism is an airport “rehearsal” specially designed for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, their families and aviation professionals. Organizers of the event hope the trial flights help to alleviate some of the stress that families who have a child with autism often experience when traveling by air.
During the event, autistic children and their families get to check in to receive their boarding passes, pass through the TSA security checkpoint, wait in the boarding area and board an Allegiant airplane. The families are also given a presentation on the aircraft’s features, in-flight safety protocols and take-off procedures.
"The scariest thing for him is walking into a situation that he's not aware of, and then he has to get a hold of himself, he will freeze, he'll shut down,” said Salvachion Vereeen.
Vereen says when she heard about the airport event, she knew how big of a deal it would be for her family, especially her 12-year-old.
Since 2014, Wings for Autism has hosted nearly 90 events at 45 different airports across the country. Vereen says she grateful the event has now been brought here to Las Vegas.
“Being able to look at him, understand him through his lenses, through his eyes, that is what the autism community has done for us."
The first Wings for Autism in Las Vegas was co-hosted by The Arc of the United States, Allegiant Airlines and McCarran International Airport. This event was also held in partnership with Families for Effective Autism Treatment, the Transportation Security Administration and the Doug Flutie Foundation.
Source: Children with autism receive lessons in aircraft travel at McCarran
___________
Sounds like a good idea but perhaps it shouldn't be limited to children. Not liking the sound of the organization "Families for the Effective Treatment of Autism" but otherwise seems like a good plan.
